Sahvir Wheeler on Injury Return, Avoiding Narratives, Will to Win in NCAA Tournament
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Sahvir Wheeler is used to jumping right into a big moment.
In his senior season at Houston Christian High School, the polarizing point guard tore his meniscus. Eventually, he returned, coincidentally right before the postseason began for his team.
The result? A state championship.
"I've been in this situation before," he told reporters on Thursday, preparing to make his return ahead of the NCAA Tournament.
Houston Christian defeated Episcopal 69-64 in the championship game for the second year in a row back in 2019. Wheeler's return was a major reason for the Mustangs conquering their rival, as he was later recognized as the Athlete of the Week by the Houston Chronicle.
Perhaps a good omen for the Wildcats, but coming back from injury and conquering the almighty bracket in March is a different beast — one that some people think Kentucky has a better shot of slaying if Wheeler wasn't on the court at all.
The sometimes-playful and always tongue-in-cheek point guard held his own phone up to his face after starting a voice memo, joining the hoard of media that immediately swarmed to his chair in the locker room once entry was allowed. "Woah, can I breathe? Let me get a water real quick," he exclaimed.
Banter led to questions surrounding his health, whether or not he would be playing in the Round of 64 against Providence on Friday night, his overall thoughts on the amount of time he's missed and the narratives that have surrounded his absence.
Everything led back to being for there for his teammates, his excitement to play and staying in the moment.
"I'm gonna do whatever it takes for us to win, whether that's playing, whether that's being the biggest cheerleader, whether that's sharing my knowledge, what I'm seeing with my teammates, or whatever it takes for us to win," he said. "That's what i'm willing to do."
In the lead-up to Kentucky's home game against Arkansas on Feb. 7, it was announced that Wheeler would be out due to an ankle injury that was suffered in practice. Coach John Calipari said that it was limiting him in practice, and the decision was made to keep him out.
There was no initial timetable given for how long he would sit. Wheeler scored eight points and had three assists, two rebounds and two steals in his last game against Florida on Feb. 4. Friday's game versus Providence will make 41 days since that outing against the Gators.
"It's been tough," he said. "I think the toughest thing is not being out there with my guys, you know? But also, it's been great recovering, doing the best I can, getting better each and every day, each and every rep, each and every practice, each and every workout."
That ankle ailment wasn't the first time he had been hurt this season, either. In the final exhibition game of the preseason, he went down with a knee injury under the basket that forced him to miss the first game of the regular season back in early November.
In January, it was announced before Kentucky's matchup against Tennessee in Knoxville on Jan. 14 that a left shoulder injury would hold him out. The health of the Houston native has continued to be in question, as has his importance to the team.
Though he entered the season as the back-to-back conference leader in assists, some of Big Blue Nation's opinion of Wheeler soured, as many preferred to see freshman guard Cason Wallace manning the point.
Kentucky managed to stun the Volunteers on Rocky Top without Wheeler, further driving home that opinion that belonged to some of the louder voices on social media.
It was thought that a return was possible in the lead-up to Kentucky's Senior Night against Vanderbilt on March 1, but just hours before tipoff, Calipari tweeted that Wheeler had undergone a "minor procedure" that was to keep him out an additional "two-to-three weeks."
Six seniors were honored that night, but only five were in attendance.
"It was super tough, obviously just because it was my Senior Day," Wheeler said. "My parents and stuff, they were supposed to come and I had to cancel on them last minute."
The absence of the veteran PG led some to foolishly wonder if he was even injured in the first place. Wheeler maintained that he avoids the toxicity and doesn't look at social media — unless he's posting things about video games.
"My only opinion that matters to me is my family, my parents, my teammates, my guys, they know what I've been through. They know what's going on. They know how I feel about them," he said.
In the two outings after the first Tennessee win, Wheeler played a combined 19 minutes, riding the pine as UK started a winning streak, defeating Georgia — Wheeler's former school — and Texas A&M.
Calipari pivoted, transitioning Wheeler into a bench role, which began to work. In a road win over Vanderbilt on Jan. 24, he played 23 minutes, scoring just four points but racking up five big assists.
In his final three games before injury, he compiled 12 assists and turned the ball over just once. Now, he has to tap back into the momentum he found with his Houston Christian teammates in 2019.
"Losing yourself in the moment, losing yourself with your guys," he said when asked about what he has to do this tournament. "Constantly making sure that you have a positive attitude, making sure they feel comfortable and at the end of the day, we all want to win."
Wheeler confirmed that he's taken part in practice all week and is not non-contact. He took the floor for UK's open practice on Thursday and proceeded to run all the same drills and take all the same shots as his teammates.
When asked if he'll play against Providence, Wheeler said "believe so." Calipari wasn't as certain, but confirmed that he'll take part in shoot-around and will see what the team doctors and trainers recommend.
"He is trying his hardest, and he is doing great stuff, but, you know, I've got to really feel that he is going to be — maybe not 100 percent, but he can't be 80," Calipari said. "Not in a game like this."
Whatever happens, Wheeler was adamant that despite all of the outside noise — that he doesn't take in — everything is kosher and the only thing on his mind is trying to make a run towards a national title.
"I love this. I love this program. I love this team ... it's a kids dream to be at Kentucky," he said. "I'm just super excited to be able to be in this situation again — in the tournament."
Kentucky and Providence will tipoff at 7:10 p.m. EST on Friday, March 17 inside Greensboro Coliseum.
East Region preview HERE.
WATCH: Calipari, Fredrick, Ware react to draw
More on Bryce Hopkins HERE.
More on the bracket reveal and Kentucky's draw HERE.
Kentucky needs to get healthy, fast. More HERE.
Want the latest on national football and basketball recruiting, including Cats targets? Head over to SI All-American for the latest news, blogs, and updates about the nation's best prospects.
Sports Illustrated also offers insight, information and up to the minute details for gamblers. Check it out here.
